Burial apparatus



Nov. 24, 1936. 1 v. TROUP BURIAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

NOV. 24, 1936. v TROUP 2,061,784

BURIAL APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

g L/ogak 73 0026 40 I %/7% mam ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 24, 1936 irso STATES 3 Claims.

This invention relates to burial apparatus, and more specifically tomeans for supporting the vault base and casket over the grave openingwhen the services are being conducted at the grave.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design simple,practical, and economical means for supporting the vault base inposition over the grave, said means being adjustable to permit them tobe swung out of position, so that the grave opening will be free andunobstructed, and so that the vault can be readily lowered.

Another object is to provide a sectional frame around the grave, so thatthe vault handling apparatus can be readily wheeled into and out ofposition, and so that it will remain level and true during the vaultraising and lowering process.

A further object is to provide a frame and base supporting means whichsupports the vault base approximately level with the surface of the gground, so that the ferns and other decorating means can be extendedover the frame sufficiently to conceal the grave opening from view whenthe vault base is in position.

A still further object is to design a sectional frame and drop bracketswhich can be readily assembled and disassembled, and which can be foldedinto a neat, compact bundle, so that it can be readily transported fromone location to an other.

The above and other objects will appear as the specification progresses,reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which I have shownone embodiment of my invention, and in which like reference numeralsindicate like parts :15 throughout the several views thereof.

In the drawings- Figure l is a plan view of a grave opening, showing thesectional frame and the vault base supported in position thereon.

Fig. 2 is a sectional edge view.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing the drop brackets with thevault base in position thereon.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating 45 the manner ofconnecting the side and end members.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the adjustment ofthe drop hangers, the broken lines showing it swung upwardly and 50against the end frame member.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of one of the drop brackets.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view illustrating the opening for the dropbracket lugs.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings in which I have shownone embodiment of my invention, the grave opening is indicated at A anda frame, preferably formed of wood, is placed on the edges of the graveopening and on which the vault handling apparatus (not shown) rolls, 5said frame comprising spaced apart side members 8 and s respectively,and end members it) and H are detachably secured thereto in a manner tobe presently described, a strip of bar iron l2 being secured to theinner edge of each side member 10' and serves to confine and guide thevault handling mechanism which travels thereon.

The inner edges of the end members l0 and l I are also provided withbars it which project beyond the ends thereof and engage in slottedopen- 15 ings l4 provided in the side members, short strips l5 beingprovided on the outer edges of these end 'members and are adapted toengage the ends of the side members when the frame is assembled, so thatit is locked in assembled relation, the usual decoration (not shown)covering the frame and edge of the grave opening which is not covered bythe vault base.

Drop hangers l6 and ll respectively span the grave and support the vaultbase B as shown, each hanger being formed with outwardly projecting lugsI8, terminating in enlarged shoulders i9. These lugs are inserted inopenings 20 provided in the bar iron strips l2, said openings beingformed as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings to facilitate theassembly of the lugs l8 and lock the hangers in position, said hangersbeing spaced a predetermined distance from the end members of the frameand are formed with centrally disposed openings 2 l, and whichaccommodate the spring actuated locking pins 22 which are mounted in theend frames, and when these drop l hangers are swung upwardly to positionas shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the pin 22 isreleased and engages the opening Zl in the drop hanger to hold it inadjusted position, so that the grave opening is free and unobstructedand the burial vault can be freely lowered into the grave.

In practice the vault base B is placed on the drop hangers it and ll,and when the funeral procession reaches the cemetery, the casket (notshown) is placed thereon; at the conclusion of the services the vaulthandling apparatus, with the vault cover supported thereby, is wheeledinto position, the side members 8 and 9 serving as tracks, this vaulthandling apparatus being the subject matter of a separate applicationfiled by me under date of February 15th, 1935, Serial No. 6,659. Thecover is then lowered on the base and is securely fastened thereto; theentire vault is then raised sufiiciently to permit the drop hangers l6and H to be swung upwardly and in alignment with the end members It] andII, as above explained, the locking pins 22 securing them in adjustedposition, leaving the entire grave opening free and unobstructed so thatthe vault is readily lowered into position in the grave. The handlingmechanism, together with the frame, is then detached and dissassembled,and the operation is complete.

This frame and mechanism folds compactly and is readily transportablefrom one location to another.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfecteda very simple, practical, lightweight, sectional frame and vaultsupporting brackets, which can be readily assembled and disassembled,and which folds compactly to permit easy and rapid delivery from onelocation to another.

What I claim is:

1. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising asectional collapsible frame adapted to support a vault base over a graveopening, drop hanger brackets pivotally and detachably connected to theside members of the frame and adapted to receive said vault base, andmeans on the frame for engaging and locking the hanger brackets as theyare swung upwardly into alignment with the frame.

2. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising asectional collapsible frame adapted to be placed on the edges of a graveopening, means for securing said frame in assembled relation, drophanger brackets detachably and pivotally connected to the side framemembers for supporting a vault base over the grave opening, springactuated pins mounted in the end members of the frame, and openings insaid brackets for engagement by said pins when the brackets are swungupwardly into alignment with the end frame members.

3. In a burial apparatus of the class described and comprising asectional collapsible frame adapted to form a track for a wheeled vaulthandling apparatus and to support a vault base over a grave opening,said frame including interlocking end and side members formed with metaledges on the inner rim thereof, and drop hanger brackets detachablyconnected to the metal edges of the side frame members for supportingsaid vault base in position above the grave opening.

LLOYD V. TROUP.

